Pacific Classic Winner Tripoli Breezing Toward Return
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Tripoli wins the 2021 Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar
Hronis Racing's Tripoli , winner of the 2021 TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, is gearing up for a return to racing.
Unraced since a seventh-place finish in the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, Tripoli has been working since late April at Santa Anita Park. His last three breezes have been at five furlongs, topped by a 1:00 3/5 move May 29 for trainer John Sadler.
"He worked great the other day. I think he's going to have a good second half" of the year, Sadler said.
A 5-year-old son of Kitten's Joy , Tripoli found success when shifted from turf to dirt about a year ago. He won an allowance optional claimer in fast time last June at Santa Anita before running second to Express Train in the July 17 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. He then outran Express Train and others in the Pacific Classic.
Following the Pacific Classic Tripoli ran fourth in the Oct. 2 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) before his Breeders' Cup Classic defeat.
His nearing return in advance of the Del Mar meet that begins July 22 could add to a thin older dirt stakes division in Southern California. Five horses raced in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita May 30 and four competed in the Californian Stakes (G2) April 30.